We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects and mechanisms of aged polystyrene microplastics on the photodegradation of sulfamethoxazole in water under simulated sunlight
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that aged polystyrene microplastics inhibited the photodegradation of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in water, with inhibition increasing proportionally to the aging degree due to light-scattering effects and reactive oxygen species quenching.
Pharmaceutical and microplastics (MPs) have been frequently detected in aquatic environment. In this study, the effects of polystyrene MPs (PS MPs) with different aging degrees on the photolysis of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in simulated sunlit water were investigated. The results showed that the presence of PS MPs inhibited the photodegradation of SMX, and the photodegradation rate (k) of SMX was negatively correlated with the aging degree of PS MPs (R = 0.998). The aged PS MPs would cause light-screening effect, thereby reducing the photodegradation of SMX in sunlit water. Further, the free radical quenching experiment showed that the mechanism for inhibiting the photolysis of SMX was the reduction of the triplet excited state SMX (SMX*). According to sample characterization, aging PS MPs formed more unsaturated chromophores and produced organic intermediates that enhanced photon absorption. Additionally, aged PS MPs also decreased the types and yields of degradation products of SMX via product analysis. This study provides an insight into the environmental behaviors of SMX and the photochemical roles of aged MPs in sunlit surface waters.
More Papers Like This
Effect of polystyrene microplastics on the degradation of sulfamethazine: The role of persistent free radicals
AI summary Read the abstract
Polystyrene microplastics exposed to photoaging generated persistent free radicals on their surfaces, which then accelerated the breakdown of the antibiotic sulfamethazine in surrounding water. The study identifies a previously underappreciated chemical interaction in which aged plastic particles can transform co-occurring pharmaceutical pollutants.
Effect of polystyrene microplastics on tetracycline photoconversion under simulated sunlight: Vital role of aged polystyrene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics affect the breakdown of the antibiotic tetracycline in sunlight. They found that aged microplastics actually slowed down the antibiotic's photodegradation by blocking UV light, while fresh microplastics had the opposite effect. The study reveals that weathered microplastics may help antibiotics persist longer in the environment, potentially contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Roles of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter on the photodegradation of organic micropollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that dissolved organic matter released from weathered microplastics significantly inhibits the photodegradation of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in water, primarily through light screening effects, suggesting microplastic pollution may slow the natural breakdown of pharmaceutical contaminants.
Aging of Polystyrene Micro/Nanoplastics Enhances Cephalosporin Phototransformation via Structure-Sensitive Interfacial Hydrogen Bonding
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that aged polystyrene micro and nanoplastics significantly speed up the breakdown of common antibiotics (cephalosporins) in water when exposed to sunlight. The aged plastic surfaces generate reactive chemicals that attack the antibiotics, and the effect depends on how the antibiotic molecule binds to the plastic surface. This is important because it shows microplastics can actively change the chemical environment around them, potentially affecting how pollutants behave in waterways.
Deciphering the interaction of sulfamethoxazole with biodegradable versus conventional, virgin versus aged microplastics in aquatic environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics interact with the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in water, both before and after UV aging. They found that biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics had the highest capacity to absorb the antibiotic, and that aging generally increased absorption for all plastic types. The study suggests that microplastics in waterways may act as carriers for pharmaceutical pollutants, with biodegradable plastics potentially posing a greater transport risk than conventional ones.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.